LAHORE, Dec 28: Hydropower generation has plummeted sharply due to yearly canal closure and massive reduction in water releases from Mangla and Tarbela reservoirs by the Indus River System Authority (Irsa) during the past one week.

Disclosing this here on Sunday, a Pakistan Electric Power Company (Pepco) spokesman said that hydropower generation with an installed capacity of 6,500 MW had reduced by 1,500 MW during early hours of day, nearly 2,500 MW during mid-day and early evening and 3,300 MW during peak hours from 5pm to 11pm.

On Dec 1, Irsa announced yearly canal closure from Jan 1 but had started it from Dec 26 instead.

The spokesman said that Pepco was making all possible efforts to compensate for the loss of hydropower generation by making full use of its own generation companies and the independent power producers (IPPs).

Additionally, it was also required to arrange for alternative power for 550 MW of lost power due to continued non-availability of gas to two rental plants of 250 MW each at Bhiki and Sheikhupura, 210 MW gas turbine station at Faisalabad and 90 MW at Kotri.

The spokesman said that power supply situation was likely to improve by the start of fourth week of Jan when the canal closure was expected to end. Besides, the 300-MW Chashma Nuclear Power Plant was also expected to join in and commence generation before Jan 17 after availing the five-month scheduled outage for fuel replenishment.

The spokesman said that resolution of power crisis was at hand with the addition of 546 MW during 2008. Pepco expected an additional 300 MW on account of efficiency enhancement of existing plants, 81 MW from Malakand-III hydro-project and 165 MW from Attock Power (both IPPs), making 3,253 MW in total available during 2009 and 3,199 MW during 2010.

The addition in power generation during 2009 and 2010 was to be made by the IPPs and other sources which had already achieved financial closure. Additionally, the Private Power and Infrastructure Board was in the process of adding fast track power to the system which would be in addition to the new generation in 2009 and 2010. — Reporter